Jelly Robinson
Image: Peace and Love Studios
Jelly Robinson is a Texas-based hair care specialist and the founder of Peace and Love Studios. She provides services for children with special needs, with a particular focus on clients who are either on the Autism spectrum or in need of specialized sensory considerations. Jelly has a vision for change in the hair care industry and is working hard to improve the education of practitioners, and bring about an expansion in the provision of hair care services for clients with special needs everywhere.
What is your definition of a changemaker?
At the end of the day, if I want to invoke change, then I can't wait around for it to happen. When I have ideas or thoughts it's a matter of, if I don't have the answers to this, then maybe somewhere along the line I'm going to bump into somebody who will. I'm going to find somebody that's going to be able to help me...and that helps me in exchange, to make change!
What is the biggest challenge you have experienced as a changemaker?
The biggest challenge is going to be the kickback from people that don't understand. I have a business called Peace and Love Studios and when people see me at work, they see patience, but they don't factor in that I'm not always patient and I do get frustrated and overwhelmed. So one of the biggest challenges is when you get kick back from somebody that doesn't understand, and you have to reposition yourself and pull it together so your message is still being relayed to the person that's making you mad - that’s one of the biggest challenges right there!
How do you bring about change in your life, in your community, or in your field?
Every day…with every client. I treat my last client of the day like my first client of the day, every time. I make the parents understand that they have a safe haven in me because a lot of the parents, outside of the kid, have anxiety when they come in to receive a service. So that's how I'm doing it - every client, every time, the first one just like the last one.
What is your hope for the next generation of changemakers?
Hopefully, we have people that are less fearful. I get scared, people don't think I get scared, but I do! About people’s reactions and just how things will pan out - or about “no’s”, because I get a whole lot of “no’s”. So maybe for the next generation of changemakers if I could just will something for them, it will be more bravery. Less fear and less anxiety when they know that they're stepping out on faith, and it's something that they have to do. Because whenever those nerves are taken away, sometimes you feel a little bit more authoritative. It can happen both ways, whether you’re fearful or not - but if I could grant them something it would be: Just do it! Don’t be scared, you got this!
These answers were collected during an interview conducted by Audaz Mag, listen to the full interview and follow Jelly on social media @JellyRobinson for all her latest updates.
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